Sharing My Stuff!

I once heard the startling statistic that we use 20% of our stuff....and we just store the rest. Yikes! I think that might be somewhat true for me. Furthermore, I have recently come to the conclusion that my abundance of art and craft supplies is actually getting in the way of my creativity. I need to make room literally and figuratively in my creative spaces....so I'm going to share!

I have spent much of my life accumulating all this really cool stuff. Because I see potential in almost everything...I pick things up here and there....take things that people are getting rid of...and save bits and scraps of this and that. I have too much stuff! I'm going to turn this problem into an opportunity and start joyfully giving things away. Don't get me wrong...I'm not getting rid of everything because I will always be crafting, sewing, and making art....but I need to lighten the load. 

I have paper...lots and lots of paper....scrapbook paper, decorative computer paper, specialty paper, card stock, drawing paper, tissue, glitter, wire, beads, pipe cleaners, fabric, new and used Christmas and greeting cards, old calendars, yarns, strings, misc jewelry making supplies, and who knows what else! 

What projects are you working on? What are you looking for that might help? Would you like a box of goodies for a project...or just for your stash?  If I have what you need I will share.  My only request is you tell me...or better yet...show me what you do with it. (and I wouldn't turn down postage) And, only if it's OK with you I will share it here on the blog. I am always inspired by the creativity of others.  

It's going to be fun sharing my stuff!

Those of you who know me can contact me directly.  Those of you who don't can contact me using the contact form along the side of the blog.

Comments

A quick note about comments: I just found out that comments made by a friend of mine from her iPad did not post on the blog.  The ones she makes on her computer come through just fine...but I have no idea why the iPad ones don't.  I love comments and welcome feedback. If I don't respond...it's because I didn't get it.  The e-mail contact form on the side of the blog is another way to contact me. Thanks!

This is a little yarn doodle in one of my shared art journals.

"I rarely end up where I was intending to go....but I often end up somewhere I needed to be."  Douglas Adams

Punch It Up!

It's good to be back home...I didn't even mind the light snow today. In the middle of the laundry and mail sorting I took some time to do a little project.

Week two of the "Artful Joyful Me Project" was to experiment with watercolors....which I did while I was in Florida. I enjoyed painting...but I wasn't too happy with my outcome. So today I did what I often do with my art I'm not happy with...I punched it up into squares. I used a black sharpie to trace around each square giving it a little border.



I liked my little watercolor rabbit so I cut him out too....and chose nine squares to frame up in this simple little 4 inch frame.

Because I like the idea so much I got on a roll and 

punched up and framed week one too.

I might even do the same thing with the next two assignments....but I'll wait and see.  These will be fun in my craft room to remind me to not be afraid to try something new.

Beautiful Skies...

...of St. Pete Beach, Florida.

Collage made in BeFunky Photo.

Gulf Coast Collection

It's our last night in St. Petersburg...and Paul and I just got back from a lovely after dark beach walk. It's been a great get-a-way for me...and a worthwhile class for Paul...but it's time to go home.

Beach combing is one of my favorite things to do...and living much of my adult life on the coast of Maine has made that pretty easy. This week I enjoyed seeing what the Gulf Coast had to offer...and here's what I picked up to take home.

I have always loved these translucent shells....I think they're called jingle shells.

And for some reason I'm drawn to odd little "non beach" things that I come across. This little pink bead is on a stiff wire...and I have no idea what it might be from. And these two little strips of blue paper caught my eye. Silly? Probably. 

I already have a little collection of unusual beach finds in Maine...and until this last summer had them displayed on the ledge going down to the basement as you came in the garage door. I cleaned it up last spring when we had the house on the market but I think it's time for them to fine their way back to the ledge. My two new Florida things will fit right in.  

I know the wood is a little expected....but these pieces are unusual.  I am particularly fond of the super hero leg and the scrabble letter "E."  And who doesn't love a purple crayon?  I know Harold does......

A Splash of Color

St. Pete Beach, St Petersburg, Florida

Dreaming vs Doing

It's amazing how much you can do in a day when you are all alone with absolutely no responsibilities. I had a lot of fun with the terns this morning on a nice long beach walk...did a little bit of workout in the pool...and enjoyed a nice soak in the hot tub. I also took a little time to work on my next assignment for the "Joyful Artful Me" project and created a little digital sunshine. It's an overcast day today...but I kind of like overcast days.

And...you end up doing a lot of thinking when your only distraction is answering the door trying to convince the housekeeper that your room doesn't need servicing today.  So here I go....and just to warn you...I have another whole day just like this tomorrow.

Dreaming vs Doing.......

Way back when we were first married Paul and I met a man named Dick Duer. Paul thought it was pretty funny so gave me the nick name "Dick Doer"...and it has stuck with me all these years.  It guess it's sort of fitting: I like to tackle projects and get things done, (at least the things I want to do) and I'm not afraid to jump in and figure things out as I go along. I'm not always successful...but that doesn't seem to stop me.

cute little guy!

But I'm also a dreamer. I have dreamed for years about getting organized, offering craft workshops, and more healthy living. But there was something about hearing Shonda Rhimes say "ditch the dream and be a doer" that hit home. "Happy, successful people are busy doing."

Those of you who know me well have probably had to endure hours of me talking about all these wonderful things I dream about doing....like offering craft workshops, organizing girls' nights out, and most recently packaging and selling really cool collections of papers, beads, and strings for crafters.

Well...the truth of the matter is....I am not a business woman...and I don't want to be one.  I suck at it. I don't want to guess what people want in a workshop....and I don't want to try and figure how what kind of packaging...or contents...for that matter, will attract attention on Etsy. I just want to be "Dick Doer"...tackling the creative projects that are already in front of me and the ones that present themselves in the future. And I want to be a resource for those who ask...teaching them something new, brainstorming ideas or sharing supplies.

So tell me what you need help with and I'll try and help you. Tell me what craft supply you're looking for...and if I have it...I will give it to you. If you have a few friends who want a girls' night out and want to learn something I have blogged about....tell me and I'd love to do that. Not many things make me happier than sitting with someone teaching them what I know about digital art...or how to needle felt.  And, I love it when I have just the right fabric or card stock for someone's project. I am going to "ditch the dreams and be a doer." That's what I'm good at!

(If you have twenty minutes to spare....and are interested in hearing the commencement speech Shonda delivered at Dartmouth where she gave the "ditch the dream" advice.....you can watch it here on youtube.) 

Yes to Play!

I took a little time to play today....a little coloring and digital art meets the beach.

A few weeks ago I finished listening to the  The Year of Yes: How to Dance it Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes. (I will quietly admit that I watch several of Shonda's TV shows....and I see her personality coming through in many of her characters.)

I am loving audio books! They work well for me while I'm crafting or puttering around the house, and they're perfect for my solo drives to and from Maine....or the recent flight to Tampa.


I heard Shonda interviewed on the Oprah channel and liked her no nonsense, tell it like it is attitude. Her "year of yes" was not only life changing but life saving.

There were so many things that resonated with me....but the one thing that keeps rolling around in my head is:

"Ditch the dream and be a doer!  Happy, successful people are busy doing."
More to come...

Colors and Textures...

....from my day.

Sunset...

...on the beach.  Paul and I went back out after dark for another beach walk....it was just lovely!

Heading South

I'm leaving the little snowmen on my kitchen window sill behind and heading south. Paul and I are on our way to a resort on the Gulf Coast in St. Petersburg Florida. 60's and sunny...sounds kind of nice!

Both photos are from the resort website.

Paul is taking a class...and I'm tagging along. We have NEVER stayed at a place like this...we are more B & B kind of people. Since he'll be tied up much of the time...I will be on my own to read, walk the beach, and explore a bit. There might even be time for a little art.

Week One

Don't chuckle...but I finished my week one Artful Joyful Me coloring project. I was transported right back to my childhood...and I had a great childhood! OK...you can go ahead and chuckle.

The goal was to get us coloring...and work on blending with colored pencils. We all worked on the same hand drawn picture done by the facilitator.

I chose to add the gold foil wing...and I'm particularly fond of my purple sun! I added the gradient background digitally.

Here is some of what I learned:

I was pleasantly surprised how well baby oil works for blending when used in VERY small amounts....it allows you to move the color around.

I need to remember to blend from light to dark...I would forget that and lose my lighter shades and highlights.

Don't apply too much color....and don't overwork a spot.  (I have the same problem when I watercolor...ending up with a muddy mess.)  If you overwork or apply too much color it won't move. The tooth of the paper soaks up the pigment and the color get stubborn.  Knowing when to stop has alway been a challenge for me.

Use a light hand and sharp pencils...I didn't like taking the time to sharpen...but it was always worth it.

Most importantly....don't take to seriously!  It's coloring!

Here's the link to the 10 minute youtube blending video that we referenced. It's very helpful.

Brilliant...

...colors....brilliant gift!

I thought it was perfect timing for this sweet story.   

My son Sam made these potholders for me when he was a kid....I'm not sure how old he was...probably 7 or 8. They're the only ones I use...and they actually have held up pretty well. He's 26 now.


And if Sam's recent journal was the best Christmas present ever...these have to be a close second.  A few years ago (yes...he was 24) he had the brilliant idea to buy himself a little kids loom and make me some new potholders for Christmas. This is a young man who knows how to capture a mother's heart!

I've been hesitant to use them....but if his old ones have lasted this long I'm sure these will carry me through for the rest of my life.

Back to Journaling!

When my friend Becky was here in September we decided to start up our shared journaling again. No rules, no judgement....and no set timeline.  Like before, we could write, doodle, or paste in our art...using the journal in ways that suited us in the moment.

I just put mine in the mail today...and I'm looking forward to getting hers...it's such a fun way to connect with a dear friend.

I also sent my journal back to my son Sam today.  (You can read that story here.)  It was hard for me to stop writing and send it on its way....but I can't wait to read what he has to say next. I'm a lucky mom!

Off and Running!

Well....off and "coloring" to be exact. Yesterday I downloaded and printed the first image for Eliza Fayle's "Artful Joyful Me Project." And, just to clarify...when I posted about it a few days ago I called it a class...but Eliza is calling it a "project"...a group of women gathering on line to interact creatively and learn new techniques for coloring.  I'm going to enjoy the shared community and conversation around a weekly project.  (The conversation is happening in a closed Facebook group.)

Here's a little peak at my project so far....I'll share the whole thing when I'm done. There's something to this coloring craze....it's very relaxing! And it's a good excuse to catch up on TV shows.



This week we're working on blending with colored pencils.  I watched an informative video demonstrating different techniques and even learned there is a right and a wrong way to sharpen a colored pencil.  Who knew?  If you're using a small hand held sharpener you need to be sure to turn the sharpener...and not the pencil.  If you turn the pencil you loosen the lead which leads to easy breakage.  It's very counter intuitive to do it that way...but it makes sense. Also, I didn't know that baby oil (in very small doses) makes for a good blending medium.

So I pulled out the colored pencils Paul bought me a little while ago, bought myself some baby oil and a few blending stumps, (again...who knew there was such a thing?) and I'm off and running coloring.

Winter

The Shupe Christmas village is put away....and the corner of my dining room has shifted to winter. I am quite fond of my little collection of clear glass paperweights and this is just the right spot for them...I love the way they catch the light.  (the snowflakes were added digitally.)

Like I Said....

...I'm being brave in 2016.

Well....this is not so much being brave as it is going outside of my comfort zone. I'm not really a joiner...and I don't follow rules very well....but I decided to give something new a try. (I nudged my friend Becky into doing it with me....she loves to color.)

Both photos are from the Artful Joyful You Facebook Page

Somewhere in my internet travels I came across an invitation to a free online class for coloring.  I was certainly drawn in by the title..."Artful Joyful You"...and I have been playing around with coloring recently.  And, I'm interested in learning new techniques with watercolor and colored pencil. So why not?

Starting tomorrow, My friend Becky and I...along with over 100 other women, are going to "play." We will be participating in a month long coloring class (one activity a week). I'm seeing it as an opportunity to learn some new things and creatively connect with others.

Check out the website here if you are interested in knowing more about what I'm getting myself into. I'll keep you posted.

One Year!

Today marks the last day of a full year of "Joyful Puttering." It has been a wonderful journey so far...thanks for coming along.

The cake was found here on Tumblr
 and was done by Flora Fricker.

Other than the things I do without thinking like eating, sleeping, and brushing my teeth, I don't think I have ever done anything almost every single day for a full year. Now if I could just translate that into other parts of my life like exercise and drinking enough water...all would be well.

My one year stats: (blogspot keeps track)
Published posts: 388
Page Views: 13,155
(and they even keep track by country)




As I searched for an image of a cake...it led me to Flora Fricker.  I poked around her website a bit....and really enjoyed seeing her work.  I was especially fond of this sweet little Christmas card.  She has a whole series of little cabins.

Like I have said before...this blog takes me places I might not have gone....and I love that!

I'm Going To Be Brave!

My mind was already buzzing....but that crazy "fork in the road" really got me revved up about all the possibilities for 2016. One of my goals is to be brave. 

My friend Becky told me about a site called "Folt Bolt" when she was here in September. It was started by a Hungarian artist living in Australia named Kriszta Kemeny. (you can read more about her on her website) Now that she is not making so much or her own art, she is featuring and celebrating artists from all over the world on her website, Facebook, and Pinterest.. In addition to her featured artists, she offers "show & tell" where she has two categories each month to feature. One is always a color scheme...and one is a technique or medium.  This month the color scheme is blues and greens and the category is felting....both close to my heart.

So yesterday I was brave...I joined her "Folt Bolt Club" and submitted a few things in each category. I woke up to an e-mail saying I was in. If you go to her website here....and click on the the sub-category "SHOW & TELL" you will see a few pages from my art journal with Ellen....and if you keep scrolling....a few of my felting projects.  And, she has chosen the mixed media vase of flowers to be one of the featured pieces at the end of the month on the Facebook Page celebrating the "show & tell" color scheme contributors.  (the Facebook page has almost 100,000 followers.)

In addition, she chose a few things to go on her Pinterst pages here, and here.


Needless to say I'm excited.  Yes...I'm going to be brave in 2016.

A Sign?

Happy New Year!

I was on a morning walk with my friend Anita a few days before Christmas when we came across something kind of funny...was it a sign? (I'm chuckling while I write that.) We were chatting about the fact that it's almost the one year anniversary of this blog...and where I might take it from here. 

I'm one who needs to talk things through and Anita has been a supportive and helpful sounding board...and I'm very appreciative.

All of a sudden she pointed out something in the street that made us both stop in our tracks...and laugh out loud.  It was a literal "fork in the road!" Was it a sign? A nudge?

Where will my "Joyful Puttering" take me in 2016? Am I at a "fork in the road?"